iMac screen compatibility - 2012+

[TwoH]

Hi guys - thought I'd post my list of information I've gathered over the years. Some models aren't included simply because I've forgotten to ever write down their model number but should be easy enough to find online. Perhaps I'll update at some point to include them. I'll try and keep the thread updated if/when new iMacs come out, but no promises.

27"
LM270WQ1 (SD)(F1) - 2012
LM270WQ1 (SD)(F2) - 2013
LM270QQ1 (SD)(A2) - 5k 2014 & Mid 5k 2015
LM270QQ1 (SD)(B1) - Late 5k 2015
LM270QQ1 (SD)(C1) - 5k 2017
LM270QQ1 (SD)(D1) - 5k 2017 iMac Pro
LM270QQ1 (SD)(E1) - 5k 2019
LM270QQ1 (SD)(F1) - 5k 2020

21.5"
LM215WF3 (SD)(D2) - 2013
LM215WF3 (SD)(D5) - 2015 non-retina
LM215UH1(SD)(A1) - 4k Late 2015
LM215UH1(SD)(B1) - 4k 2017 & 2019

24”
LM235UH1 (SD)(C1) - 2021

—————————

Compatibility list - these models will work with each other:

27”

2012 & 2013

2014 & 2015 Mid

2015 Late & 2017 & 2019

2017 pro & 2020

21.5”

2012 & 2013 & 2014 & 2015 2k & 2017 2k

2015 4k is not compatible with other years

2017 4k & 2019

24” (M-series)

2021 & 2023

2024 (Have not tested yet)

—————————

Here are my findings for iMac screens, I'll try to update if I remember any more of my knowledge.

Note:

Some of these LCD swaps between years may require swapping the backlight cable.

Late 2015 5k to 2019 5k are compatible with each other - excluding the iMac Pro.

2014 5k and Mid 2015 5k will work on Late 2015 to 2019.

Late 2015 5k to 2019 5k should not be used on 2014 5k and Mid 2015 5k. (Causes LCD to only display max resolution of 4K)

All non-retina 21.5” are compatible with each other.

4k 2015 is not compatible with 2017/2019 4k and vice versa.

27” 2020 and iMac Pro 2017 LCD are compatible with each other, including the cameras - but won’t get True Tone on the 2020s if using an iMac Pro LCD, this is because you cannot swap the 2020 camera onto a 2017 iMac Pro LCD due to the shapes being different.

M4 2024 iMac camera hole is bigger than on the M1 2021 and M3 2023 models

Only relevant for MacOS older than Tahoe:

2020 and will lose True Tone unless you swap the camera

24” will lose True Tone unless you swap the light sensor.

 

[PaulD-UK]

Quote: “…swaps between years may require swapping the backlight cable.”

The 27” 2019/2020 iMac backlight cables are the same, but different (angled logic board connector) to 2017 and earlier 27" iMacs (straight connector).

 

[marius_3d]

will post this here: I have successfully used a 2014 27inch case on a 2015 27inch screen and logic board. the swap also needed the antennas and camera from 2015 iMac or else the screen would not fit.

 

[TwoH]

The 27” 2019/2020 iMac backlight cables are the same, but different (angled logic board connector) to 2017 and earlier 27" iMacs (straight connector).

Very true! I would recommend swapping the backlight cables on these models. Technically it is possible to angle it in place for both years - but it is not a comfortable feeling doing it. Thanks for the information though, I had never actually wrote down the models that would require the backlight cable swaps.

will post this here: I have successfully used a 2014 27inch case on a 2015 27inch screen and logic board. the swap also needed the antennas and camera from 2015 iMac or else the screen would not fit.

Thanks for the info. If I recall correctly you are able to replace the chassis on a 2015 27" all the way down to a 2012 chassis, but will (as you have mentioned) require the modifications you have said.

 

[netsrot39]

Thanks to the OP for this list! I recently tried to remove the SATA SSD from my 2017 27" iMac 5K that I put in there 2 years ago. It was a Verbatim SSD and didn't even work for 1 year (awful SSD indeed) ... Anyways, it was throwing errors and led to kernel panics so I had to remove it. In 2023, when I first removed the screen, it was a hassle but only took like 30 minutes to remove it (undamaged that is). Before reinstalling it, I applied new adhesive strips, but as it turned out they were too strong. Just 2 weeks ago, while trying to remove the screen, I cracked the glass and was devastated. The iMac was a gift from a friend and the top-notch configuration of 2017 with the 8 gigs of VRAM and the i7 processor. In addition to that I had 64 gigs of RAM in it. So a perfectly working iMac (apart from the SSD) was kind of ruined.

Once I came across this thread, I got an idea. If I could find a 2014 or 2015 iMac 5K for cheap, I'd be able to relatively inexpensively replace the broken screen. Long story short, I ended up getting a base model Mid 2015 27" iMac for 100 €. After very carefully removing the screen, I can confirm that it is an LM270QQ1 (SD)(A2). Just for ***** and giggles, I connected the semi-broken LM270QQ1 (SD)(C1) to the 2015 logic board and it is true that it works with it but it only outputs at 4K. Next, I will have to reassamble the entire iMac, because after cracking the glass I basically disassembled it entirely so I can store away the internals in boxes. Before reassembly, I'll also replace the thermal paste and replace the thermal putty on the VRAM chips with Arctic thermal pads. This ended up being a bit of a long post, but I just wanted to say thanks for the thread and the info that earlier models displays are compatible.

 

[TwoH]

Thanks to the OP for this list! I recently tried to remove the SATA SSD from my 2017 27" iMac 5K that I put in there 2 years ago. It was a Verbatim SSD and didn't even work for 1 year (awful SSD indeed) ... Anyways, it was throwing errors and led to kernel panics so I had to remove it. In 2023, when I first removed the screen, it was a hassle but only took like 30 minutes to remove it (undamaged that is). Before reinstalling it, I applied new adhesive strips, but as it turned out they were too strong. Just 2 weeks ago, while trying to remove the screen, I cracked the glass and was devastated. The iMac was a gift from a friend and the top-notch configuration of 2017 with the 8 gigs of VRAM and the i7 processor. In addition to that I had 64 gigs of RAM in it. So a perfectly working iMac (apart from the SSD) was kind of ruined.

Once I came across this thread, I got an idea. If I could find a 2014 or 2015 iMac 5K for cheap, I'd be able to relatively inexpensively replace the broken screen. Long story short, I ended up getting a base model Mid 2015 27" iMac for 100 €. After very carefully removing the screen, I can confirm that it is an LM270QQ1 (SD)(A2). Just for ***** and giggles, I connected the semi-broken LM270QQ1 (SD)(C1) to the 2015 logic board and it is true that it works with it but it only outputs at 4K. Next, I will have to reassamble the entire iMac, because after cracking the glass I basically disassembled it entirely so I can store away the internals in boxes. Before reassembly, I'll also replace the thermal paste and replace the thermal putty on the VRAM chips with Arctic thermal pads. This ended up being a bit of a long post, but I just wanted to say thanks for the thread and the info that earlier models displays are compatible.

Glad for the appreciation, many thanks! And always great to hear of other people's experiences with these machines.

Also very appreciative of your findings too with the display screen swaps - always good to have confirmation from others

 

[Tickled]

Thanks to the OP for this list! I recently tried to remove the SATA SSD from my 2017 27" iMac 5K that I put in there 2 years ago. It was a Verbatim SSD and didn't even work for 1 year (awful SSD indeed) ... Anyways, it was throwing errors and led to kernel panics so I had to remove it. In 2023, when I first removed the screen, it was a hassle but only took like 30 minutes to remove it (undamaged that is). Before reinstalling it, I applied new adhesive strips, but as it turned out they were too strong. Just 2 weeks ago, while trying to remove the screen, I cracked the glass and was devastated. The iMac was a gift from a friend and the top-notch configuration of 2017 with the 8 gigs of VRAM and the i7 processor. In addition to that I had 64 gigs of RAM in it. So a perfectly working iMac (apart from the SSD) was kind of ruined.

Once I came across this thread, I got an idea. If I could find a 2014 or 2015 iMac 5K for cheap, I'd be able to relatively inexpensively replace the broken screen. Long story short, I ended up getting a base model Mid 2015 27" iMac for 100 €. After very carefully removing the screen, I can confirm that it is an LM270QQ1 (SD)(A2). Just for ***** and giggles, I connected the semi-broken LM270QQ1 (SD)(C1) to the 2015 logic board and it is true that it works with it but it only outputs at 4K. Next, I will have to reassamble the entire iMac, because after cracking the glass I basically disassembled it entirely so I can store away the internals in boxes. Before reassembly, I'll also replace the thermal paste and replace the thermal putty on the VRAM chips with Arctic thermal pads. This ended up being a bit of a long post, but I just wanted to say thanks for the thread and the info that earlier models displays are compatible.

hi netsrot39, did you find chance to rebuild your 2017 machine, and if so find the mid-2015 screen worked?

I've a late 2014 5K machine with failing graphics, I'll be swapping its screen to a 2017 i7 model.

 

[mbosse]

Hello:

I am just wondering if it is possible to DIY replace a screen on a 2020 27" iMac with the correct (used) LM270QQ1(SD)(F1) screen? Or maybe with a LM270QQ1 (SD)(E1) and the respective swap of cables.

And to retain True Tone, I would need the swap the existing camera into the replacement screen? There is no Apple's System Configuration utility (which is only avalibly to authorised service providers) needed?

Thanks a lot,
Magnus

 

[PaulD-UK]

@mbosse
The 2019 screen is fundamentally similar to the 2020, except that the 2020 has the FaceTime camera attached to the screen with mounting points that don't exist on the 2019 screen - that has a webcam attached to the case.

But I don't know about the software/True Tone situation.

 

[TwoH]

I've a late 2014 5K machine with failing graphics, I'll be swapping its screen to a 2017 i7 model.

Late 2014 5k screen should work okay with the 2017. You would run into issues if you were trying to use a 2017 screen on a 2014 however.

I am just wondering if it is possible to DIY replace a screen on a 2020 27" iMac with the correct (used) LM270QQ1(SD)(F1) screen? Or maybe with a LM270QQ1 (SD)(E1) and the respective swap of cables.

And to retain True Tone, I would need the swap the existing camera into the replacement screen?

So - I imagine in a “DIY” aspect you can surely use any of the 5k screens on a 2020, the issue you’d run into would just be the camera.

You may be able to use an imaginative way to attach it to the screen, or convert the camera be similar to the older models where it is not attached but I have never tried this.

And with True Tone, I do need to test - but I believe Tahoe may have fixed the issue and will allow True Tone even if not using the original camera/backlight sensor.

 

[Tickled]

Late 2014 5k screen should work okay with the 2017. You would run into issues if you were trying to use a 2017 screen on a 2014 however.

Thanks for confirming, it all went to plan. Does anyone else find that removing screens on the 'thin' models quicker and easier than the earlier separate glass+display 2009-2011 models?

I'll place another 2017 5K next to it to see how much difference there is between the two, but clearly the A2 screen is working perfectly on the later machine. All very satisfying, the more so as when I bought the broken 2017 I hadn't realised the 2014 one would work on it.

 

[TwoH]

I'll place another 2017 5K next to it to see how much difference there is between the two

Please do, and any findings do feel free to add in here. Maybe you’ll see a peak brightness difference between the two? I am unsure

 

[netsrot39]

hi netsrot39, did you find chance to rebuild your 2017 machine, and if so find the mid-2015 screen worked?

I've a late 2014 5K machine with failing graphics, I'll be swapping its screen to a 2017 i7 model.

Like others have already pointed out, what you're intending will definitely work. I rebuilt my 2017 iMac with a mid-2015 screen, and it works great. The only issue I have encountered is that the 2014–2015 screens tend to have image retention issues, unfortunately (which does not bother me too much). However, I have never noticed this on my original 2017 screen, although that one had mild clouding in one corner.

Recently I actually got a great deal on two more 5K iMacs (Late 2014 and Late 2015). I will most likely post about them too, but what I can say is that the image retention issue is almost guaranteed with those screens. The Late 2015 is the worst of them all because it develops a purple tint on the edges for no apparent reason.

 

[Tickled]

Please do, and any findings do feel free to add in here. Maybe you’ll see a peak brightness difference between the two? I am unsure

Unless side by side, they're indistinguisable, you can use one after the other without any clear difference. Side by side, the later screen gives a marginally better display when playing videos.

 

[mbosse]

Hello:

I am just wondering if it is possible to DIY replace a screen on a 2020 27" iMac with the correct (used) LM270QQ1(SD)(F1) screen? Or maybe with a LM270QQ1 (SD)(E1) and the respective swap of cables.

And to retain True Tone, I would need the swap the existing camera into the replacement screen? There is no Apple's System Configuration utility (which is only avalibly to authorised service providers) needed?

Thanks a lot,
Magnus

I can answer my own question now: no problem to change the screen on the 2020 iMac 27" (LM270QQ1(SD)(F1) screen) - no need to swap cameras, nothing. It just works including True Tone.

Note this swap has been done on an iMac running on macOS Tahoe - no idea if it works as seamlessly with older macOS versions.

Best,
Magnus

 

[TwoH]

I can answer my own question now: no problem to change the screen on the 2020 iMac 27" (LM270QQ1(SD)(F1) screen) - no need to swap cameras, nothing. It just works including True Tone.

Note this swap has been done on an iMac running on macOS Tahoe - no idea if it works as seamlessly with older macOS versions.

Best,
Magnus

Thanks I’ve updated the post, I was aware but had not actually updated it yet. I am quite certain that True Tone will not function properly on older MacOS, but you are correct. Tahoe will be absolutely fine when it comes to true tone